Directional control in thermally driven single-molecule nanocars

ORGN 250

Yasuhiro Shirai, yasuhiro@rice.edu1, Andrew J. Osgood, osgood@rice.edu2, Yuming Zhao, yuming@mun.ca1, Kevin F. Kelly, kkelly@rice.edu2, and James M. Tour, tour@rice.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University, MS-222, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, (2) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, MS 366, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, (3) Department of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University, MS 222, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005
With the hope of directing future bottom-up fabrication through bulk external stimuli, such as electric fields, on nanometer-sized transporters, we sought to study controlled molecular motion on surfaces through the rational design of surface-capable molecular structures called nanocars: nanometer-sized vehicles that are each a single molecule possessing four wheels (spherical C60 units) connected through four independently-rotating axles (alkynes) to a chassis (an oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) moiety). The thermally induced observed movement by STM of the nanocars was not stick-slip action, but instead directed rolling motion perpendicular to the axles. Additionally, the alkynyl axles posses a very low barrier to rotation allowing the translational motion of these molecules to be governed by the interaction of the fullerene wheels with the substrate. The studies here underscore the ability to control directionality of motion in molecular-sized nanostructures through precise molecular synthesis.
 

Molecular Rotors: Ethane, Gyroscopes, Arrays, and Beyond
1:30 PM-5:00 PM, Monday, 29 August 2005 Washington DC Convention Center -- Ballroom B, Oral

Division of Organic Chemistry

The 230th ACS National Meeting, in Washington, DC, Aug 28-Sept 1, 2005